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Insulating Your Home with Alternative Materials

12-09-08
Devin Lehmann
Pillar To Post: The Home Of Home Inspection - Insulating Your Home

Because the average household generates 50-70% of its energy bill through heating and cooling, properly insulating your home is one of the easiest ways to cut back on energy usage and lower your bills year round. Most conventional insulators, such as fiberglass and mineral wool contain carcinogenic resins and can be challenging to install. Green entrepreneurism has generated a number of affordable alternative insulators that are made of eco-friendly materials, which are healthier for your family and the environment. Here are some alternative to fiberglass and mineral wool to consider for your insulation project:

  • Natural Fibers, particularly those made from recycled denim, have been growing in popularity with sustainable builders. This type of insulation is manufactured with 85 % recycled cotton material, contains no chemical irritants and requires no warning labels. If you insulate with natural fibers you are also ensuring that those faded 501's, which were headed toward the landfill, can now be recycled into the walls of your home.

  • Cellulose is another popular option. Made from100% recycled newspapers and cardboard, this alternative requires substantially less energy to manufacture and install than traditional insulation. Cellulose is available as a loose fill or spray-on material so it fills every crevice, preventing energy loss through drafts and condensation caused by air infiltration. Cellulose costs the same as fiberglass, but is much more environmentally friendly and is just as readily available.

  • Paint-on insulation is one of the most flexible of all the emerging materials. This product, named Nansulate, utilizes nanotechnology. Microscopic particles fused with acrylic resin create a nontoxic, environmentally-friendly product that is both water and mold resistant. Though more costly than other options, paint-on insulation can be applied to ceilings, walls, and flooring, making it the most versatile of all the insulators.

  • Greensulate is the newest insulating material created from oyster mushrooms. It is by far the cheapest and greenest of all the options, with a forecast manufacturing cost of $1 per square foot. Greensulate is 100% natural, biodegradable, and fire retardant, so it does not require additional chemicals and will biodegrade when it is no longer in use. This technology is winning global attention with its unique ability to decrease carbon emissions on a globally significant scale.


For additional resources, please contact your local Pillar To Post office.

Devin Lehmann

Devin.Lehmann@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com/seattle
206-933-1151
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Special Savings Offer at Sears

11-14-08
Devin Lehmann
Home Alliance Program from Pillar To Post

Dear Friend of Pillar To Post,

We wish to thank you for supporting our business! As you may be aware, we have established relationships with several businesses that provide valuable services to homeowners through our Home Alliance Program. Sears is one of these companies and we were just informed of a special savings offer availalbe this coming Sunday. As a result of Pillar To Post's relationship with Sears we are offering an exclusive invitation for you and your clients to get a head start on your holiday shopping with a special after-hours event at Sears stores. They will open their doors from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 just for you, your family, clients and friends. During this event you can avoid the holiday crowds and you will save an additional 10% or more* on almost everything they sell.

Here are some of the great offers* available that night:

§ 10% VIP savings on regular, sale and clearance prices

§ 15% VIP savings on all women's, men's and kids' apparel plus footwear and fine jewelry

§ 20% VIP savings on all outerwear

§ 20% on all Kenmore appliances plus your 10% VIP savings

§ 40% to 70% on all fine jewelry plus your 15% VIP savings

§ 10% savings on home theater purchases over $999 plus your 5% VIP savings (all TVs, cameras and camcorders receive a 5% VIP savings)

§ 10% VIP savings on Protection Agreements and product installation

§ 15% VIP savings on all Lands' End merchandise in Sears retail stores (20% on Lands' End outerwear in Sears retail stores)

§ 10%, 15% and 20% VIP savings are available at Sears.com from 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17

No passes or coupons are required to enjoy the event savings. Invitations and the advertising circular can be found at www.sears.com/vip. So head to your local Sears store or Sears.com for this special event and invite your family and friends to do so as well. Use the Find a Store feature on Sears.com to locate the stores nearest to you.

*Some exclusions apply. See store for details or visit www.sears.com/vipfor more information. Excludes Outlet stores.

Enjoy,

Devin Lehmann

(206) 933-1151

devin.lehmann@pillartopost.com



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Top Rooms to Invest In

11-06-08
Devin Lehmann
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Pillar To Post: The Home Of Home Inspection - Top 3 Rooms To Invest In
TOP 3 ROOMS TO INVEST IN
Homeowners are continually exposed to the latest and greatest in remodeling and renovation trends on TV programs, in magazines, and on home improvement web sites. It seems there isn't any place in the house that's off-limits to improvement, expansion, or updating. If a homeowner is planning to remain in their home for many years to come, they should consider projects that genuinely suit their own needs - the custom kitchen, a fabulous master suite, a new home office. But if the plan is to sell the home in the not-too-distant future, homeowners should focus on projects that will have the best chance of getting the highest return on their investment.

Let's take a look at the 3 rooms that rise to the top of the ROI list of midrange projects (our list does not include home additions or necessary repairs):
KITCHEN
Average ROI = 83% (minor remodel), 78.1% (major remodel)*

Even within a particular room, project costs can vary widely depending on the extent of the improvements. A major kitchen remodel -custom cabinetry, expensive surfaces, high-end appliances, and engaging a designer - may cost upward of $100,000 and, on average, get a return on investment of about 78%. A minor kitchen "facelift", on the other hand, averages a similar ROI in percentage terms, but will cost far less. This more-modest project may entail cabinet refinishing, replacement of countertops and flooring, and perhaps swapping out dated appliances for new but inexpensive models that improve the room's appearance.
BATHROOM
Average ROI = 78.3%*

Bathroom remodels consistently rank at or near the top in term of return on investment. Whether it's a powder room or a master bath, beautiful, updated surfaces, water-saving fixtures, and neutral tones are the minimal improvements that should be considered. Taking another step up, enlarging the room itself and adding luxurious "spa" elements such as a deep soaking tub, heated floors, and a double shower will obviously increase the budget and, likely, the appeal of a master bath.
ALL ROOMS - WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Average ROI = 81.2% (wood), 79.3% (vinyl)*

Replacing windows may not rank high on the glamour scale, but buyers appreciate the appearance and improved energy efficiency of new windows and are willing to pay for them. Insulated windows are a smart improvement for homes in any climate, and will make the house look better both inside and out.
Here are a few more thoughts to keep in mind:
Regional differences
While the above figures are average, what's most in demand in one geographical area may differ elsewhere. Do your homework before committing to a project.

Aim for universal appeal
Avoid highly unusual designs, strong colors, and unique custom components that can be polarizing to potential buyers. Remodeled spaces should look great to the widest possible audience.

Don't over-improve
Homeowners should be careful to keep upgrades and improvements within the range of similar homes in their neighborhood. The most expensive home in the area, however attractive, is rarely the easiest to sell.

*Source: 2007 Cost vs. Value Report (Remodeling Magazine and REALTOR® Magazine)

Devin Lehmann
Devin.Lehmann@pillartopost.com
/seattlewww.pillartopost.com
206-933-1151
pillartopost.com
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